Yesterday, the pieces that once made up the Kiddieland Amusement Park in Melrose Park, Illinois were auctioned off after the historic park closed for good last month after 81 seasons.
The wooden roller coaster known as the “Little Dipper” has found a new home not far away. It will be added to the long list of ride at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois and becomes the park’s 14th roller coaster. The “Little Dipper,” which operated at Kiddieland from 1950 until the park’s closing, will retain its name.
The Little Dipper was designed by Herbert Schmeck and built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company in 1950. The family-friendly coaster features a three story tall lift hill and is designed as a figure eight track which runs 700 feet in length. It has been honored with the ACE Coaster Classic award by the American Coaster Enthusiasts.
“The Little Dipper has been a fond family tradition for over 50 years,” said Hank Salemi, Six Flags Great America’s park president in a press release. “We wanted to preserve this important piece of Chicago history for families to experience for many more years to come.”
The coaster will be installed for guests to enjoy as the new 2010 season begins.
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